Australia-Sri Lanka exchange skills on HADR programme

Sri Lankan and Australian disaster management experts exchanged experiences on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) this week, the Australian High Commission said in a media release.   

It said the four-day programme, attended by civilian and military personnel from both countries, included representatives from Sri Lankan NGOs and UN organisations who partner with the Sri Lankan and Australian Governments on HADR in Sri Lanka.   

The HADR programme is part of the visit to Sri Lanka by Australia’s Indo Pacific Endeavour 2019 Task Force – Australia’s largest ever defence engagement with Sri Lanka.  Officers from Sri Lankan tri-forces as well as UN and NGO representatives embarked on HMAS Canberra to observe first-hand the capabilities the vessel can deploy in HADR emergencies. This included deployment of landing craft, helicopters and Humanitarian Emergency Relief Supplies.